St. Sabinian
St. Sabinian, brother of St. Sabina, lived in the third century. Along with his sister, he converted to Christianity. He preached the Gospel, for which he was beheaded during the reign of Emperor Aurelian.
St. Paul the Apostle
Today is the feast of the conversion of St. Paul the Apostle. He was born with the name Saul circa 3 in what is now Turkey. He was a Pharisee who persecuted Christians. However, he converted to Christianity after he fell and received a message that he was persecuting Christ by persecuting Christians. Starting over, he changed his name to Paul, was baptized and preached. He was beheaded in Rome circa 65. St. Paul is patron saint of evangelists, public relations personnel and writers.
St. Francis de Sales
St. Francis de Sales was born in 1567. After becoming a priest, he became provost of a diocese in Switzerland – where there were many Calvinists. He won many Calvinists back to the Catholic Church. This preacher and writer became bishop of the Diocese of Geneva. He died in 1622 and was canonized in 1665. He was named a doctor of the church. St. Francis de Sales is patron saint of the Catholic press, authors and journalists. St. Vincent Pallotti
St. Vincent Pallotti was born to a noble family in Rome in 1798. He raised money for the poor and took care of the sick to the point of risking his own health. He began orphanages and agricultural schools. The teacher also began guilds. Vincent Pallotti founded the Pious Society of Missions (Pallottines). He died in 1850 and was canonized in 1963.
St. Agnes of Rome
St. Agnes of Rome refused to give up Christianity or her virginity when ordered to do so. She was tortured and martyred circa 304. She is patron saint of betrothed couples and chastity.
St. Fabian
St. Fabian was a lay farmer who was elected pope in 236 when a dove landed on his head the day a pope had to be elected. During much of his time as pontiff, Christians were accepted by non-Christians. St. Fabian was martyred circa 250. St. Germanicus
St. Germanicus was handed over to wild animals in an arena; however, the animals did not attack. He provoked them and died a martyr in 156.
St. Prisca of Rome
St. Prisca (also known as Priscilla) of Rome was a virgin martyr.
St. Anthony the Abbot
St. Anthony the Abbot was born in Egypt in 251. He sold his possessions and land, gave his money to the poor and became an anchorite – living alone in penance and prayer. He had many followers and founded two monasteries. He died in 356. Many in the area where he lived made baskets for a living, so St. Anthony became patron saint basket makers. He is also patron saint of epileptics, monks and animals.
St. Hilary of Poitiers was born in France in 315. Although he was born a pagan, he converted to Christianity after reading the Bible. He served as bishop of Poitiers from 353 to 368. Although exiled, Hilary converted people through his writing. He died in 368. In 1851, he was made a doctor of the church. St. Hilary is patron saint of snake bites.
St. Adrian
St. Adrian of Canterbury was born in North Africa circa 635. This Benedictine monk became an abbot and an advisor to Pope Vitalian. He went to England in 669 and became abbot of St. Peter’s Monastery. Adrian evangelized England and taught languages, math and astronomy. He died Jan. 9, 710, in Canterbury, England. In 1091, St. Adrian’s body was found incorrupt.
St. Severinus
St. Severinus of Noricum was born in North Africa circa 410. He was wealthy but gave it all away to live as a hermit. He spread Christianity in Noricum. He helped set up centers for people who lost their homes during the invasion of Attila. He preached and healed in Austria and Bavaria. He died singing Psalm 150 in 482. St. Severinus is patron saint of Austria.